CNMI Bar study guide
CNMI Bar · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The CNMI Bar Examination is the licensing examination that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands uses to decide whether an applicant may practise law before its courts. It matters most to locally trained graduates, to attorneys from the U.S. The CNMI Bar study guide has 10 sections and about 3,037 words.
01CNMI Constitutional Law and Government Structure
The constitutional law section asks how the Commonwealth governs itself under the 1975 Covenant and the 1978 Constitution. Expect questions on separation of powers, the Bill of Rights, legislative, executive, and judicial authority, local government, and amendment.
341 words, about 2 min02Civil Procedure (CNMI Rules of Civil Procedure)
Civil procedure tests the CNMI Rules of Civil Procedure, which are modeled on the Federal Rules but are not identical. Questions commonly involve pleadings, service, motions, discovery, summary judgment, default, and appeal.
352 words, about 2 min03Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
Criminal law and procedure covers the CNMI Criminal Code, the Rules of Criminal Procedure, and constitutional protections. Expect elements of offenses, mens rea, defenses, arrests, searches, interrogations, bail, speedy trial, and jury rights.
293 words, about 1 min04Contracts and Commercial Law
Contracts and commercial law tests formation, enforceability, performance, breach, remedies, and statutes governing commercial transactions. CNMI courts apply common-law contract doctrine and the commercial statutes in the CNMI Code.
304 words, about 2 min05Torts and Personal Injury
Torts and personal injury tests negligence, intentional torts, strict liability, causation, damages, comparative fault, and government liability. CNMI courts apply common-law tort principles with local statutes and immunity rules.
291 words, about 1 min06Property, Land, and Real Estate Law
Property, land, and real estate law tests estates, leases, recording, easements, adverse possession, and the CNMI's constitutional land restrictions. Article XII is the central local rule.
286 words, about 1 min07Family Law and Domestic Relations
Family law covers marriage, divorce, marital property, spousal and child support, custody, adoption, and domestic violence. The exam tests statutory procedure and the best-interests standard.
265 words, about 1 min08Evidence
Evidence tests the CNMI Rules of Evidence: relevance, character, impeachment, hearsay, privileges, authentication, expert testimony, and burdens. The rules are modeled on the Federal Rules but are applied by CNMI courts.
298 words, about 1 min09Professional Responsibility and Ethics
Professional responsibility tests the CNMI Rules of Professional Conduct, admission and discipline, conflicts, confidentiality, candor, fees, trust accounts, and the lawyer's duties as advisor and advocate. A lawyer must provide competent representation and must communicate reasonably with the client.
300 words, about 2 min10CNMI-Specific Law: Customary Law, Immigration, and Local Statutes
This section tests CNMI-specific law: customary law, immigration status, and local statutes. Expect questions that cannot be answered from general U.S.
307 words, about 2 min